Intermediate vs St. Oliver Plunketts/Eoghan Ruadh

A very workmanlike performance by the Ballyboden St. Enda’s intermediate football team saw off a spirited Oliver Plunkett’s team at Páirc Uí Mhurchú last Saturday evening. From the start Boden had the appearance of a team that meant business and were first off the mark with a pointed free from the boot of Mikey Dunne. Moments later Cian Bates picked his spot to net the first goal of the game. The visitors tapped over a point in the fourth minute from a close in free. Points were exchanged up to the twenty second minute leaving the score at 1-4 to 0-4 in favour of the hosts.

It was a bitterly cold evening but the football was being played at an extremely hot pace by both teams. However both teams defences were holding their own and minimising their opponents to limited shooting chances. Despite having a penalty spectacularly saved Boden scored the final three points of the half to leave it 1-7 to 0-4 at the break.

A strong cold cross-field wind favoured neither team but brought tears to the eyes of the spectators facing into it. It also seems to have affected the scoreboard button pusher who was allocating scores from a different time zone. Somehow he nearly got it right at he end!!!

The second half saw more of the same particularly from the home team and it was not long before Ciaran popped over a point. In the fifth minute Luke deftly lobbed the keeper after a strong run and was as surprised as anyone to see the ball nestle in the visitors net. Boden continued to pile on the pressure and convert chances while the Northsiders struggled to keep the scoreboard ticking over. They made chances but the smothering capacity of the Boden defence was ultimately overwhelming. The last five minutes saw Boden score 2-2 to put a gloss on the scoreboard.